Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder. Eczema patches and blisters may appear anywhere on your body, and you may experience severe itching, redness and oozing. The Mayo Clinic states that eczema may run in families whose members have allergies, asthma or hay fever, and stress and emotional problems may aggravate the disorder. Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, uses herbs topically or in teas and tinctures to alleviate eczema symptoms. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal therapy.
Red Peony
In TCM, red peony, or Paeonia lactiflora, has a cold nature and acts on the liver and spleen channels. Healers use the red root, known as chi shao yao, to treat menstrual disorders, boils, abscesses and eczema. Herbalist Penelope Ody states that red peony root stimulates the blood, improving circulation and clearing disease-causing blood stagnation. In TCM, one cause of eczema is excess heat in the blood, so a blood-cooling herb like red peony root can be taken as a tincture or tea, or used externally as a cream or poultice to relieve itching and burning. Do not combine red peony with blood-thinning medications.
Chinese Corktree
Chinese corktree, or Phellodendron chinese, is also known as huang bai, one of three "yellow" herbs used in TCM to clear heat and dampness, and to detoxify the body. Traditional healers use the bark, which has cooling properties, to treat excess heat-damp disorders, such as eczema, diarrhea, jaundice and urinary tract infections. Dr. Yifan Yang states that huang bai may be combined with two other yellow herbs, baikal skullcap and Chinese goldthread, to make a lotion called San Huang Gao, or "three yellow cream," which is a TCM formula for eczema. Only use this herb externally.
Broom Cypress
Broom cypress, or Kochia scoparia, is a tumbleweed shrub native to Asia. TCM healers use the dried fruit, known as di fu zi, to treat urinary problems, eczema and other skin disorders. Active ingredients include triterpene saponins, fatty oils and alkaloids, and the fruits have diuretic and anti-itch properties. TCM practitioners Xu Li and Wang Wei state that the dried fruits clear heat and have a cold nature. They advise using broom cypress ointments and creams alone or combined with phellodendron bark or dittany bark to alleviate itching skin. This herb is for topical use only.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Causes of Eczema
- "The Holistic Herbal Directory"; Penelope Ody; 2009
- "Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics"; Yifan Yang, M.D., MSc; 2002
- "Chinese Materia Medica: Combinations and Applications"; Xu Li and Wang Wei; 2002
Member Comments